RE: Skip links and keyboard navigation [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

While fully agreeing skips links should be visible, strictly speaking I
don't think there is a requirement for them to be always visible. I am
pretty sure this issue was extensively canvassed at the various stages for
comments during the preparation of WCAG 2 and many argued for visibility to
be a requirement, but without success.

 

The use of skip links is covered in 2.4.1 Bypass blocks. And advisory
technique G1 "Adding a link at top of each page that goes directly to the
content area." It is worth noting, this technique contains the following
comment: *** quote ***

However, Success Criterion 2.4.1 does not require that they be visible when
they do not have focus, and links that are visible only when they have focus
can meet this success criterion.

*** end quote***

 

 

 

From: Vivienne CONWAY [mailto:v.conway@ecu.edu.au] 
Sent: Thursday, 6 December 2012 11:07 AM
To: THOMAS,Danny; w3c-wai-ig@w3.org list
Subject: RE: Skip links and keyboard navigation [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

 

I agree in the technicality of the issue, but how does the keyboard user
have access?  Isn't that the intent of the guideline at 2.1.1 and 2.1.3 - to
make sure that the keyboard user has access to all functionality?

 

 

Regards

 

Vivienne L. Conway, B.IT(Hons), MACS CT, AALIA(cs)

PhD Candidate & Sessional Lecturer, Edith Cowan University, Perth, W.A.

Director, Web Key IT Pty Ltd.

v.conway@ecu.edu.au

v.conway@webkeyit.com

Mob: 0415 383 673

 

This email is confidential and intended only for the use of the individual
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me immediately by return email or telephone and destroy the original
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  _____  

From: THOMAS,Danny [Danny.Thomas@deewr.gov.au]
Sent: Thursday, 6 December 2012 9:05 AM
To: Vivienne CONWAY; w3c-wai-ig@w3.org list
Subject: RE: Skip links and keyboard navigation [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

UNCLASSIFIED

Hi Vivienne,

 

Then in this case I'd say it's not a 2.1.1. If it's using a HTML anchor tag
then it passes 2.1.1 by virtue of sufficient technique H91
<http://www.w3.org/TR/2012/NOTE-WCAG20-TECHS-20120103/H91> . 

 

Since it uses H91, it therefore passes 2.1.1 because H91 is a standalone
sufficient technique as per the how to meet 2.1.1 article
<http://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG20/quickref/#qr-keyboard-operation-keyboard-opera
ble> .

 

2.4.7 would be an obvious fail though.

 

Regards,


Danny.

 

Daniel Thomas
Assistant Director | Web Accessibility Policy Unit

Business Enabling Branch| Technology Solutions Group
Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace
Relations
Phone (02) 6240 2533| Fax (02) 6257 3290 | Mobile 0448 472 240 

 

From: Vivienne CONWAY [mailto:v.conway@ecu.edu.au] 
Sent: Thursday, 6 December 2012 10:50 AM
To: THOMAS,Danny; w3c-wai-ig@w3.org list
Subject: RE: Skip links and keyboard navigation [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

 

HI Danny

 

In this case, the keyboard user presses the tab key to start navigating
through the page and the skip links don't show when they are tabbed over.
Sometimes they show in the bottom left corner, but not always.  

 

In other words, they are there but hidden, and the keyboard user doesn't
know about them because they can't see them.  In this case, they would have
to tab through the page to get to the main content for example.  

 

2.4.7. also applies as they don't show focus, but I'm wondering about the
keyboard accessibility issue.

 

 

Regards

 

Vivienne L. Conway, B.IT(Hons), MACS CT, AALIA(cs)

PhD Candidate & Sessional Lecturer, Edith Cowan University, Perth, W.A.

Director, Web Key IT Pty Ltd.

v.conway@ecu.edu.au

v.conway@webkeyit.com

Mob: 0415 383 673

 

This email is confidential and intended only for the use of the individual
or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you are
notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email is
strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify
me immediately by return email or telephone and destroy the original
message.

 

  _____  

From: THOMAS,Danny [Danny.Thomas@deewr.gov.au]
Sent: Thursday, 6 December 2012 8:46 AM
To: Vivienne CONWAY; w3c-wai-ig@w3.org list
Subject: RE: Skip links and keyboard navigation [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

UNCLASSIFIED

Hi Vivienne,

 

This needs a little more context. Can they not access the link or is it just
not visible?

 

If the link can technically receive focus and it's just not made obvious,
then it's a 2.4.7 not a 2.1.1. 

 

Regards,


Danny.

 

Daniel Thomas
Assistant Director | Web Accessibility Policy Unit

Business Enabling Branch| Technology Solutions Group
Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace
Relations
Phone (02) 6240 2533| Fax (02) 6257 3290 | Mobile 0448 472 240 

 

From: Vivienne CONWAY [mailto:v.conway@ecu.edu.au] 
Sent: Thursday, 6 December 2012 10:29 AM
To: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org list
Subject: Skip links and keyboard navigation

 

Hi all

 

I thought I'd pass this issue past the experts in this group for your
opinion.

 

This issue involves skip links that do not appear with keyboard activation -
in other words dont' show focus either all the time or with keyboard focus.

 

Obviously if they are there and hidden, the screen reader user still hears
them, but the keyboard only user does not receive that benefit and has to
tab throughout the whole page to get to the main content.

 

G202: Ensuring keyboard control for all functionality which covers 2.1.1 and
2.1.3 says "The objective of this technique is to provide keyboard operation
for all the functionality (defined as processes and outcomes achievable
through user action) of the page."  In this case (when the keyboarder can't
access the skip links), it would appear they can't have keyboard operation
for all the functionality of the page.  What keyboarders can't do is to
access the skip links, which really benefits a keyboard only user as they
can't skip the multitude of navigational links. 

 

Would you agree that this fails 2.1.1 when the keyboard operation doesn't
activate the skip links, which means that it should also fail 2.1.3?  

 

 

Regards

 

Vivienne L. Conway, B.IT(Hons), MACS CT, AALIA(cs)

PhD Candidate & Sessional Lecturer, Edith Cowan University, Perth, W.A.

Director, Web Key IT Pty Ltd.

v.conway@ecu.edu.au

v.conway@webkeyit.com

Mob: 0415 383 673

 

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record of it from your system. The information contained within is not the
opinion of Edith Cowan University in general and the University accepts no
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be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
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email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the DEEWR Switchboard
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not disclose or use the information contained within. If you have received
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record of it from your system. The information contained within is not the
opinion of Edith Cowan University in general and the University accepts no
liability for the accuracy of the information provided.

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